New air ambulance service serves higher-than-expected need

Air Methods, which flies medical trauma helicopters out of Watertown International Airport and at Fort Drum, has responded to 75 emergencies since it started service June 1.

The flights go to hospitals in Syracuse or Burlington, Vt.

In June, there were 25 flights, which was more than the 18 flights the company had expected, according to Ann M. Smith, the company's business development manager. Ms. Smith said there were 36 flights in July and as of Tuesday, there were 14 flights in August.

Ms. Smith said the Colorado-based company expects to open its Potsdam base on Oct. 1.

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